Matweld Welding Cable 16mm2 Green 6M

The Matweld 16mm² welding cable in Green is a high-flexibility, SABS-approved power cable designed for light to medium-duty welding. This 16mm² gauge is the standard choice for most 120A to 160A portable inverter welders. The Green jacket is often used as a color-coded "Earth" lead or to easily identify specific lead sets in a busy workshop or on-site environment.

Technical Specifications

• Product Code: MAT1400.
• Cross-Sectional Area: 16mm².
• Length: 6 Metres.
• Voltage Rating: 1000V.
• Insulation: Double Insulated (PVC/Rubber compound).
• Compliance: SABS Approved.
• Mass: ~0.203 kg/m (Total weight approx. 1.2kg).

Key Features

• Double Insulation: Provides a high level of protection against electrical faults, abrasions, and the typical "drag and wear" associated with workshop floors.
• High Conductivity: Built with high-purity, multi-strand copper to ensure minimal resistance and a stable arc, even at the full 6-metre reach.
• SABS Approved: Tested and certified to meet South African safety standards for industrial electrical equipment.
• Extreme Flexibility: The high strand count allows the cable to be easily coiled and uncoiled, reducing "cable memory" and preventing the electrode holder from being pulled during precise welds.
• Safety Color: The bright green jacket is highly visible, reducing trip hazards and making it easy to distinguish between the electrode (Live) and earth leads.

Common Applications

• DIY & Maintenance Welder Leads: The standard gauge for 140A and 160A machines (e.g., the Matweld MAT9006LE kit).
• Earth Return Leads: Frequently used as a dedicated earth lead to separate it visually from the electrode holder lead (which is often Black or Blue).
• Secondary Power Leads: Suitable for small-scale 12V/24V solar battery connections or heavy-duty automotive wiring where high flexibility is required.
• Jump Leads: Can be used to manufacture custom, high-quality jump leads for passenger vehicles and light bakkies.

Usage & Professional Tips

• Current Capacity: While flexible, 16mm² cable is generally rated for up to 150A at a low duty cycle. For sustained welding above 160A, a thicker 25mm² cable is recommended to prevent the lead from overheating.
• Matching Connectors: Use 10-25mm² Dinse plugs for most 120A/140A machines. Ensure the copper strands are tightly secured in the plug—loose strands cause high resistance and can melt the welder's socket.
• Check for Damage: Periodically inspect the green jacket for nicks or burns. Because it is double-insulated, a small cut in the outer green layer might not be immediate danger, but it should be repaired with high-quality electrical tape.
• Avoid Sharp Bends: Even though it is highly flexible, repeatedly bending the cable sharply at the connector points will eventually fatigue the copper strands.